Yarn storage and feeding system for circular knitting machines



Jan. 30, 1962 Filed July 6, 1959 B. FRIED YARN STORAGE AND FEEDINGSYSTEM FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES 2 Sheets-Sheet '1 INVENTOR.BENJAMIN FRIED ms MEIR Jan. 30, 1962 B. FRIED 3,018,645

YARN STORAGE AND FEEDING SYSTEM FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES FiledJuly 6, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 INVENTOR. BENJAMIN FRIED mg A GENT 3,018645 YARN STORAGE AND E EEDING SYSTEM FOR CIRCULAR KNITTING MACHINES Benamin Fried, 2375 Arthur Ave., New York 58, N.Y. Filed July 6, 1959, Ser.No. 825,209 Claims. (Cl. 66-125) The present invention relates to animproved knitting system and more particularly to improvements in yarnstorage and feeding means for revolving cylinder, sinkertop circularknitting machines. In one aspect, the invention is concerned with asuper-structure for storing and feeding a multiplicity of wale yarnsvertically downwardly to needles on the revolving cylinder.

Pattern wrap knitting machines incorporating a system of walewisepatterning or vertical stripping are known. Patterned knitted goods onsuch and other machines have heretofore been produced on stationarycylinders although knitting machines with revolving cylinders are known.

It is one of the objects of my invention to knit patterned fabricsvertically on a multiple-feed circular knitting machine of thesinker-top, revolving cylinder type.

It is a concomitant object of this invention to provide an advantageousand novel attachment on an otherwise conventional circular knittingmachine of this type, which permits the vertical feeding of wale yarnsfrom a plurality of regular-sized yarn cones or tubes to needles on therevolving cylinder.

It is also an object of the invention to improve the knitting yarnstorage means for such machines in the knitting of jersey-type and likeknit goods.

In circular knitting machines with stationary cylinders, the yarnstorage and feed means revolves about the cylinder during the knittingoperation. In known arrangements of this type, the revolving standholding the weft yarn supplies takes up so much rom that little spaceremains for storing the supplies of any wale yarns, making it impossibleto feed the latter yarns to the stationary knitting cylinder fromregular sized yarn cones or tubes. Therefore, it has been necessaryheretofore in vertical knitting to rewind the yarn from the regularcones or tubes, on which they are shipped to the knitting plant, intosmaller packages which may be accommodated on a stand atop the knittingmachine for feeding wale yarns to the stationary cylinder when walewisepatterning was desired, for instance. Such rewinding of yarn istimeconsuming, of course, but more importantly, these small packages ofyarn used for vertical striping are rapidly consumed, requiring frequentstopping of the knitting operation to replace the empty spools by fullyarn packages, whereupon the knitting operation may be resumed until theyarn packages are depleted again, and so forth. This obviously is anexceedingly time-consuming operation, making such pattern wrap knittingexceedingly expensive.

ited States atent O As far as revolving cylinder tvpe machines forknitting jersey-type cl-oth are concerned, the stationary knitting yarnstorage means usually forms a super-structure mounted on the machine andcarr ing the yarn cones. The arrangement is such that it is difiicult toreach the individual cones that are held inwardly of the standperiphery, the general crowding preventing ready access to all the cnes. Thus, when one set of cones is dep eted, the machine must bestopped. the empty cones are removed and full cones are placed on thestand for a new knitting cycle.

The yarn storage and feeding svstem of the present invention o ercomesthese and other dis dvantages of the prior art b providing, first astation ry yarn storage means of considerable size and removed fr m theknitting U 3,018,545 Patented Jan. 30, 1962 storage means and have readyaccess to all yarn holders placed on the yarn storage means. Secondly, Ihave devised a novel means for storing and feeding wale yarns to arevolving cylinder knitting machine by mounting a multi-tieredsuperstructure on the machine, placing a multiplicity of yarn holders onthe superstructure and driving the superstructure substantiallysynchronously with the revolving cylinder while vertically feeding waleyarns to the cylinder needles.

The above and other objects, advantages and features of the inventionwill become more apparent in the following detailed description ofcertain embodiments thereof, taken in conjunction with the accompanyingdrawing wherein FIG. 1 is a top view of a circular knitting machine witha yarn storage and feeding system according to the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a section along line 2-2 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a section along line 33 of FIG. 1 and showing the hub of thesuperstructure;

F G. 4 is a section along line 44 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 5 shows a detail of a drive connection between the knittingcylinder and the superstructure;

:FIG. 6 is an enlarged side view of a few tiers of the superstructureand a modified embodiment of a connection of the first tier with therevolving cylinder; and

FIG. 7 is a perspective view showing a detail of the lower portion ofthe superstructure.

Referring now to the drawing wherein like reference numerals in allfigures designate like parts, there is shown a conventional revolvingcylinder, sinker-top circular knitting machine generally indicated byarrow 1. Since such machines are units well known and the machine itselfforms no part of the present invention, only its major parts have beenschematically indicated inasfar as the structure constituting theinvention cooperates with such parts.

As shown, the knitting machine is supported on a stand 2 which rests onthe floor or any other desirable supporting surface. An annular support3 is fixedly mounted on the stand by support rods 5 and carries therevolving knitting cylinder 4 with its annular gearing 6, which mesheswith spur gear 7. Gear 7 is carried on the outer end of motor shaft 8which is rotated by motor 9. In this manner, actuation of motor 9 causesthe cylinder 4 to revolve in support 3. When yarns 10 are fed to needles11 of the revolving cylinder, knitted fabric F is produced in a mannerwell known per se, as are all the parts of the revolving cylinder,sinker-top knitting machine heretofore described. As also well known,the knitted fabric is pulled through the knitting machine by cooperatingnip rollers mounted below the knitting cylinder and is wound on awind-up roll mounted on brackets 12 supported on the stand 2.

As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, I have devised a knitting yarn storage standseparate and removed from the knitting machine itself, the stand beingof considerable size to accommodate a large number of individual yarncones or tubes and suflicient space being left between the machine andthe stand to enable an operator to walk between the machine and thestand as well as outside the stand. This not only makes it possible tostore an unusually large number of yarn holders on the stand but makesall of these individual yarn holders readily accessible to the operator.

It will be obvious to the skilled in the art that this arrangementincreases manifold the number of different yarns which may be fed to themachine with great ease,

thus enabling the knitting of jersey-type knit goods of great varietypractically unobtainable with the crowded and relatively small yarn conestands attached to the machine, as heretofore used. With a freelyaccessible yarn stand, which is spaced from the machine, differentyarns, such as yarns of different colors or of different material, maybe readily placed in any position on the stand, neither their placementor replacement causing any difiiculty. This makes it possible to knit aninexhaustible number of different novelty goods economically and withhardly any increase in the labor cost.

Yarns like SS-denier acetate or rayon may be knit together with cottonin the same feeds on 64 feeds or 96 feeds, or even more, without havingto reduce the number of feeds, and the spacing between the yarns, as aresult of the stand, is sufficient to enable the cotton and finefilament yarns to feed properly without entanglement.

Equally, if not more, importantly, the depletion of any yarn cone doesnot necessitate stopping of the machine. Since every cone is readilyaccessible, the outer end of the yarn of a full cone may be readily tiedto the inner end of the yarn of a cone about to be depleted, withoutever stopping the knitting operation. Considering the fact that as manyas 64 or more yarn cones may feed yarn to the machine knitting ajersey-type cloth, for instance, this feature alone may save as much ashalf an hour every two hours or so when the cones would normally bedepleted, the machine would have to be stopped and the 64 cones wouldhave to be replaced. In my operation, I simply tie new yarn supplies tothose feeding yarn to the machine without the necessity of ever stoppingthe machine, except for taking off the rolls of finished knit goods.

In the illustrated embodiment, the knitting yarns are fed to needles 11of the revolving knitting cylinder from a desired number of cones 13mounted on frameworks shown to consist of generally semi-circular,upright frames 14, one frame 14- being mounted on each of diametricallyopposite sides of the machine 1 in the illustrated embodiment, asindicated in full lines at one side and in phantom lines on the otherside, in FIG. 1. It will be quite obvious that neither the exactpositioning or number or exact shape of the yarn stands are in any waycritical. Clearly, for instance, the stands could be straight orpolygonal, instead of being semi-circular,

the illustrated frame comprising a plurality of uprights 15interconnected by semi-circular transverse bars 16, either or bothcarrying cones 13. As shown in FIG. 2, the cones or some of the conesmay be mounted on cone holders 17 which are pivotally supported onuprights 15 to permit the cones to be swung into different positions.

Brackets 18 are mounted on cross bars 16 and hold eyes 18a to guide theyarns from cones 13 to a semicircular yarn guide 19 having a pluralityof openings to permit the yarns to pass therethrough to a further yarnguide means 26, such yarn guide means being known per se and, therefore,not described or illustrated in detail.

With the above-described knitting yarn feeding arrangement, the knittingcylinder need not be stopped while new yarn cones are brought intooperation and a single operator will be able to supervise a number ofmachines, the yarn storage means being readily accessible from all sidesso that yarn cones may be replaced and yarn lengths stored on differentholders may be tied together without difficulty. In this manner,considerable economies may be achieved in knitting jersey-type cloth andmany types of knitted fabrics may be produced with great ease.

illustrated superstructure 21 for storing and feeding wale yarns toneedles 11 of the revolving knitting cylinder 4.

The suspension support for the entire structure is provided by a fixedsupport frame including four uprights 22 bolted to lugs 23 which aremounted on annular support 3. Added stability may be provided, ifdesired, by providing threaded extensions 22a on each upright andconnecting these extensions to the ceiling, for instance. Four radialcross bars 24 extend from hub 25 to uprights 22, being mounted thereonby any suitable means, such as bushings 24a. The fixed hub 25 and thebars 24 constitute means for supporting the fixed shaft 26 whose upperend is threaded into the hub.

Fixed shaft 26 extends vertically downwardly from hub 25 into a firstrotatable hub 28 centered within or somewhat below the revolvingknitting cylinder 4, see FIG. 4. Four radial bars 30 extend from hub 28in a plane generally intersecting and toward the revolving cylinder. Asbest shown in the enlarged top view of FIG. 5, the ends of bars 30 areconcavely recessed to form substantially semi-circular grooves 32. Theknitting cylinder has attached thereto chordal bars 33 which carryvertical studs 31 of substantially convex or circular cross section.Studs 31 are sufficiently spaced from the grooves 32 of cross bars 30 topermit knitted fabric F to pass through the inter-space, as shown inFIGS. 4 and 5. However, they are close enough to the cross bars toengage their end grooves.

In this manner, rotation of the cylinder will cause synchronous rotationof first hub 28, studs 31 being mounted in fixed relationship with thecylinder and taking along bars 30 by the inter-engagement of the studswith grooves 32, the bars 30 being securely attached to or integral withhub 28. Obviously, the herein illustrated structure constitutes only onespecific embodiment of a synchronous driving connection between therevolving cylinder and the rotary hub means of the superstructure, manyvariations and modifications thereof being possible.

An alternative or additional synchronous driving connection for thesuperstructure is shown in FIGS. 1 and 2. As illustrated, motor shaft 8may have a short outward extension carrying gear 34 which meshes withgear 35 keyed to shaft 36. Shaft 36 is journaled in a gear box 37housing a bevel gearing to translate the rotation of horizontal shaft 36into synchronous rotation of vertical shaft 38. The end of shaft 38carries sprocket wheel 39 forming part of a sprocket-and-chain driveincluding sprocket wheel 40 and chain 41. Sprocket wheel 40 forms asecond rotary hub and is fixedly connected to the superstructure 21,elements 3441 constituting a synchronous driving connection meansbetween the revolving cylinder and the second hub of the superstructure21, rotation of the cylinder by actuation of motor 9 causing synchronousrotation of the superstructure. The illustrated sprocket-and-chain drivecould obviously be replaced by a gear drive and like driving means.

A plurality of superposed yarn cone support platforms 42 are fixedlymounted on the support rods 43 which are fixed to cross bars 30 and thussupport and drive the entire superstructure. A rotary hub or pipe 52surrounds fixed shaft 26 and rotates freely with the superstructure onbrass bearing 27 and ball bearings 29. The several tiers ofsuperstructure 21 carry the desired numbers of yarn cones for storingand feeding wale yarns to the needles 11 of the revolving knittingcylinder. If desired, each platform may carry a metal web 44 on its twofaces, each web having four radially extending spokes similar to thestructure 30 shown in FIG. 4. The radial spokes of two superposed webs,one on the upper face of a lower platform and the other on the undersideof the next higher platform, are in alignment and are provided withaligned tapped holes to enable the rods 43 to be carried therein withtheir screw-threaded ends. In this manner, the entire superstructure 21constitutes a rigid and integral wale yarn storage and feeding means.

It will be obvious that this superstructure, particularly from-studs 31.

when fully loaded with yarn cones 45, is fairly heavy. Therefore, whenmotor 9.is stopped to discontinue rotation of cylinder 4 and first hub28, the forces of inertia will cause a certain backlash which, undersome circumstances, may be objectionable.

As shown, the vertical stripping yarns 46 are fed from cones 45 overhooks 47 through eyes 48 and over a suitable yarn guide and equalizingmeans 49 to the needles 11. If the backlash of the superstructure onstoppage of motor 9 is appreciable, this will increase the wear on theentire machine.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 7, this isavoided in the following manner. Rods 43 are fixedly attached to crossbars 3%, for instance by screwing their threaded ends into tapped holesin the cross bars. However, the upper ends of rods 43, instead of beingfixedly attachedto a web on the underside of the first platform, carryanti-friction bearings, for instance rollers 50, which merely glidablyengage and support the underside of the lowest platform. In this manner,there is no fixed connection between the bars driven by cylinder 4 andthe yarn cone support platforms fixedly interconnected by rods .43,which form a portion of the superstructure driven by gear means 34-41.

.In this embodiment, therefore, both synchronous driving connections arerequired, the lowest portion of the superstructure being driven by thecylinder directly and the upper portion being driven by the gearing 3451.

In the embodiment of FIG. 6, wherein the lowest plat- .form, too, isfixedly connected to the cross bars 34 one or the other illustrateddriving means for the superstructure may be omitted, if desired.

While specific means have been shown to illustrate suitable synchronousdriving connections between the superstructure 21 and the revolvingcylinder 4, it will be obvious to the skilled in the art that manyvariations and modifications of such means may be devised withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of this invention, the onlyessential thing being that the superstructure and the cylinder rotate inmore or less synchronous motion.

For the purpose of clearing away yarn sludge and accumulating dirt,suitable suction means, such as fans 51, are mounted on uprights 22 ateach tier of the superstructure. Also, I have found it advantageous toprovide a light source, such as an electric bulb within the tubularlyknitted fabric F below the knitting cylinder to be able to observe thefabric as it comes off the cylinder. For this purpose, I make the shaft26 hollow and guide therein an electric cable or wire 53 supplyingelectric current to the light source (not shown).

The operation of the illustrated machine is obvious from the abovedescription of its structure. Jersey-type fabrics may be knitted ontherevolving cylinder in the conventional manner by feeding knittingyarns 10 to the knitting needles 11, the only difference being thespatial arrangement of the knitting yarn storage and feeding means, asshown at 14.

If it is desired to knit plain fabrics, it is possible either todiscontinue the yarn feed from the superstructure or to disconnect thesuperstructure drive by lifting the entire structure on threadedextensions 22a by turning nuts 54. In this manner,-the cross bars 30will-become disengaged When it is desired, on the other hand, to producepatterned knit goods with vertical stripping, the superstructure issynchronously driven with the revolving knitting cylinder to feedsuitable wale yarns to needles 11.

While certain specific embodiments of the invention have been describedand illustrated, it will be obvious that many modifications orvariations may occur to the skilled in the art, particularly afterbenefiting from the present teaching, without departing from the spiritand scope of this invention as defined in the appended claims.

What I claim is:

1. In combination with a circular knitting machine havhaving a revolvingcylinder with knitting needles: a wale yarn storage and feeding systemcomprising a fixed shaft coaxial with said cylinder and extendingupwardly therefrom, means upwardly spaced from said cylinder and firmlysupporting the fixed shaft in suspension above said cylinder, hub meanssupported by and rotatably mounted on said fixed shaft, a plurality ofsuperposed support means "for yarn holders, means for connecting the hubmeans .With the yarn holder support means whereby a rigid yarnsupporting superstructure is formed, means connecting the cylinder andthe hub means for substantially synchronously driving the superstructurewith the revolving cylinder about the fixed shaft, and means positionedperipherally of said yarn holder support means for guiding yarn fromsaid holders outside said superstructure to selected ones of saidknitting needles;

3. In combination with a circular knitting machine having a revolvingcylinder with knitting needles: a Wale yarn storage and feeding systemcomprising a fixed shaft coaxial with said cylinder and extendingupwardly therefrom, means upwardly spaced from said cylinder and firmlysupporting the fixed shaft in suspension above said cylinder, hub meanssupported by and rotatably mounted 'on said fixed shaft, said hub meansincluding a plurality of radially extending bars extending in ahorizontal plane intersecting the revolving knitting cylinder, aplurality of superposed support means for yarn holders, means forconnecting the hub means with the yarn holder support means whereby arigid yarn suporting superstructure is formed, said means including aplurality of rods fixedly connecting the radial bars with the supportmeans, means fixedly connected to the, inside of the cylinder, saidmeans engaging the ends of said bars but being sufficiently spacedtherefrom to permit fabric knitted on the cylinder to pass downwardlythrough the space between the ends of the radial bars and the barengaging means, said bars and bar engaging means constituting meansconnecting the cylinder and the hub means for substantiallysynchronously driving the superstructure with the revolving cylinderabout the fixed shaft, and means positioned peripherally of said yarnsupport means for guiding yarn from said holders outside saidsuperstructure to selected ones of said knitting needles.

4. The combination of claim 3, wherein said radial bar ends have concavegrooves and saidbar engaging means include convex studs of a surfaceconfiguration substantially complementary to the concave grooves, theconvex studs extending into the concave grooves but being spaced fromthe groove wall.

5. In combination with a circular knitting machine having a revolvingcylinder with knitting needles a wale yarn storage and feeding systemcomprising a fixed shaft coaxial with said cylinder and extendingupwardly therefrom, a fixed support frame surrounding said shaft, means"spaced upwardly from said cylinder and mounted on said support framefor supporting the fixed shaft in suspension above said cylinder, hubmeans supported by and rotatably mounted on said fixed shaft, aplurality of superposed platform means for supporting yarn holders, saidplatform means extending toward said support frame, means for rigidlyinterconnecting the platform means and at least one platform means withthe hub means whereby a rigid rotatable yarn supporting superstructureis formed within said fixed support frame, means connecting the cylinderand the hub means for substantiallyv synchronously driving thesuperstructure with the revolving cylinder about the fixed shaft, andmeans positioned peripherally of said yarn holder supporting means forguiding yarn from said holders outside said superstructure, to selectedones of said knitting needles. I v

6. In combination with a circular knitting machine having a revolvingcylinder with knitting needles: a wale yarn storage and feeding systemcomprising a fixed shaft coaxial with said cylinder and extendingupwardly therefrom, a fixed support frame surrounding said shaft, meansspaced upwardly from said cylinder and mounted on said support frame forsupporting the fixed shaft in suspension above said cylinder, hub meanssupported by and rotatably mounted on said fixed shaft, said hub meansincluding a plurality of radially extending bars extending in ahorizontal plane intersecting the revolving knitting cylinder and havingends with concave grooves, convex studs of a surface configurationsubstantially complementary to the concave grooves and means fixedlymounting said studs on the inside of said cylinder in engaging registrywith said grooves but sufficiently spaced therefrom to permit fabricknitted on the cylinder to pass downwardly through the space between thegroove walls and the studs, a plurality of superposed platform means forsupporting yarn holders, said platform means extending toward saidsupport frame, means for rigidly interconnecting the platform means andat least one platform means with the hub means whereby a rigidrotatableyarn supporting superstructure is formed within said fixedsupport frame, said bars and studs constituting means for substantiallysynchronously driving the superstructure with the revolving cylinderabout the fixed shaft, and means positioned peripherally of said yarnsupporting means for guiding yarn from said holders outside saidsuperstructure to selected ones of said knitting needles.

7. The combination of claim 6, further comprising means on said fixedsupport frame for moving said fixed shaft supporting means upwardlywhereby the grooved bar ends may be disengaged from said studs.

8. The combination of claim 5, further comprising suction meansassociated with each platform means for removing yarnsludge.

9. In combination with a circular knitting machine having a revolvingcylinder with knitting needles: a wale yarn storage and feeding systemcomprising a fixed shaft coaxial with said cylinder and extendingupwardly therefrom; a fixed support frame surrounding said shaft; meansspaced upwardly from said cylinder and mounted on said support frame forsupporting the fixed shaft in suspension above said cylinder; hub meanssupported by and rotatably mounted on said fixed shaft, said hub meansincluding a first hub with a plurality of radially extending barsextending in a horizontal plane intersecting the revolving knittingcylinder, a second hub below said suspension support means for the fixedshaft and a hollow shaft between the first and second hubs; studsfixedly mounted on the inside of said cylinder in engaging registry withthe ends of said radial bars but sufiiciently spaced therefrom to permitfabric knitted on the cylinder to pass downwardly through the spacebetween the bar ends and the studs; a plurality of superposed platformsextending from the hollow shaft toward said support frame and supporting yarn holdersg vertical rods fixedly interconnecting theplatforms and at least one of said hubs with an adjacent one of saidplatforms whereby a rigid rotatable yarn supporting superstructure isformed within said fixed support frame; means connecting the cylinderwith the second hub for substantially synchronously driving thesuperstructure with the revolving cylinder about the fixed shaft, andmeans for guiding yarn from said holders to selected ones of saidknitting needles.

10. The combination of claim 9, wherein said vertical rods include rodsfixedly interconnecting 'said second hub with the uppermost of saidplatforms and the radial bars of the first hub with the lowermost ofsaid platforms.

11. The combination of claim 9, wherein said vertical rods include rodsfixedly interconnecting said second hub with the uppermost of saidplatforms and further comprising support rods for the lowermost of saidplatforms, said support rods being fixedly attached to the radial barsof the first hub and glidably supporting said lowermost platform.

12. In combination with a circular knitting machine having a revolvingcylinder with knitting needles: a fixed knitting yarn holder storagestand supported independently of and at a distance from the knittingmachine so as to be readily accessible from all sides, means on saidstand for supporting a plurality of yarn holders and means for guidingyarn from said holders to said knitting needles.

13. The combination of claim 12, wherein said stand consists of aframework and said yarn holder support means includes yarn supportspivotally mounted on the framework.

14. In combination with a circular knitting machine having a revolvingcylinder with knitting needles: a fixed knitting yarn holder storagestand supported independently of and at a distance from the knittingmachine so as to be readily accessible from all sides, means on saidstand for supporting a plurality of yarn holders, means for guiding yarnfrom said holders to said knitting needles, and a wale yarn storage andfeeding system comprising a rotatable superstructure mounted above saidrevolving knitting cylinder, said superstructure including means forsupporting wale yarn holders, means connecting the cylinder and thesuperstructure for substantially synchronously driving thesuperstructure with the revolving cylinder, and means positionedperipherally of said wale yarn holder supporting means for guiding waleyarns outside said superstructure from the latter holders to selectedones of said knitting needles.

15. In combination with a circular knitting machine having a revolvingcylinder with knitting needles: a fixed knitting yarn holder storagestand supported independently of and at a distance from the knittingmachine so as to be readily accessible from all sides, means on saidstand for supporting a plurality of yarn holders and means for guidingyarn from said holders to said knitting needles, groups of two of saidyarn holders being associated with a single one of said yarn guidingmeans whereby yarn may first be fed from one of said two holders to saidyarn guiding means "and as the yarn nears exhaustion at said one holderthe yarn from the other one of said two holders may be tied to the yarnof the one holder to continue the yarn feed to the yarn guiding meanswithout interruption.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS2,204,417 Lawson June 11, 1940 2,655,019 Harraway Oct. 13, 19532,770,117 Mishcon et a1 Nov. 13, 1956 2,902,848 Striar Sept. 8, 1959

